[courtesy of California Progress Report]

How the Pundits are Misattributing Momentum to Natural Demographic Political Differences

By Rob Richie
Executive Director
Fair Vote

Introduction

Sen. Hillary Clinton had a good night this week in West Virginia, winning a landslide victory by nearly 150,000 votes over Sen. Barack Obama. Clearly, she must now have that fickle thing called "momentum," right?

Of course a week ago the same candidates had quite different results in North Carolina and Indiana, where Obama won those states collectively by some 210,000 votes. So, the logical conclusion would be that Obama had the "momentum" and must have now lost it.

But what happened between then and now to change the contest so dramatically?

Nothing, really -- and yet the pundit class and many in the media will try to find meaning (read: momentum) into these numbers. But in reality, too many of the nation's talking heads are playing with a Ouija board and tailoring their analysis to fit the pre-written story-line du jour.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Governor Schwarzenegger has dropped a plan to release 22,000 prison inmates early, reports the Sacramento Bee."Not a single legislator in the state had expressed support for theidea."

East Bay residents may be forced to reduce their use of water by 20 percent under a rationing proposal by the East Bay MunicipalUtility District expected to be announced today. "We could have an evendrier year next year, and we could end up with even half that or less.So, we have to stretch every last drop," said EBMUD spokesman CharlesHardy.

The LA Times reports disappointment among many female supporters of Hillary Clinton in West Virginia. Clinton is likely to sweep West Virginia, but it won't make a difference at this point.

There's more... 

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

A few days before Tuesday's presidential primaries, I wrote a piece that I have come to regret. It's central thesis, that the presidential nominating contest is over and has been for quite some time, I stand by. Senator Hillary Clinton's only path to the White House at this stage would outrage a lot of voters, and I just don't see the party elders allowing that to happen. But I don't stand by my words.

While preaching unity for the party, my word choices were inherently divisive. I saw a fire in a crowded theatre, and while my mind tried to douse the flames with water, my words used gasoline. I apologize to Senator Clinton and her supporters. There's a fine line between criticism and insult, and some of my word choices clearly crossed that line. The post in question is deleted and hopefully in the dustbin of history, and as we finally wind down this process, unite behind our candidate, and proceed onward for the general election, I can only guarantee that my attention will be focused on Senator John McCain and our downballot prospects.

by Dante Atkins (hekebolos) [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Jerry McNerney is among the superdelegates who are meeting with Hillary Clinton today.

According to this DailyKos diary, the Congressman's office is keeping track of who calls and what they have to say, so if you're a California blogger--especially one who helped McNerney--feel free to make your opinion known (whatever that opinion is).

Here's the number:

925-833-0643

Now that there are more undecided superdelegates than pledged delegates, I guess that calling Congressional offices is now more important than calling voters...

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Apparently, Sen. Feinstein is asking Hillary Clinton for her primary "game plan".

"I, as you know, have great fondness and great respect for Sen. Clinton and I'm very loyal to her," Feinstein said. "Having said that, I'd like to talk with her and [get] her view on the rest of the race and what the strategy is."

Clinton, who eked out a win in Indiana Tuesday night but lost big to front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) in North Carolina, has not responded to Feinstein's phone call, the California senator said.

"I think the race is reaching the point now where there are negative dividends from it, in terms of strife within the party," Feinstein said. "I think we need to prevent that as much as we can."

Interesting.  What I'd like to see is Feinstein show some leadership on the Rules Committee and block Hans von Spakovsky's resurrected nomination to the FEC.  But I'd say DiFi is as good a bellweather as there is of the emerging CW on the Democratic nomination fight.

In other news, California superdelegate Inola Henry committed to Obama today.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Let the tidal wave begin! Fresh this morning, former Senator Hillary Clinton backer George McGovern, who was the Democratic nominee for president in 1972, has now endorsed Senator Barack Obama.

Said McGovern, "Hillary, of course, will make the decision as to if and when she ends her campaign. But I hope that she reaches that decision soon so that we can concentrate on a unified party capable of winning the White House next November."

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Garry Shay, Chair of the California Democratic Party Rules Committee and a member of the Democratic National Committee Rules Committee, talking with fellow Superdelegate and DNC Member who also sits on the DNC Rules Committee, Alice Huffman, at California Democratic Council Dinner Before remarks

By Frank D. Russo

Yesterday evening, I moderated an after dinner panel discussion amongst eight California Superdelegates, including two who are uncommitted, at the annual California Democratic Council Convention in Fresno. Despite being in session for a dozen or so hours before the dinner event kicked off, the room was packed with CDC delegates who did not tire and stayed for an hour and a half to ask questions and hear from those on the dais. I’ll have a fuller report later on the many interesting comments of these grassroots Democrats, all of whom were elected to their positions, and are not going to the Denver Convention because of appointment or their position.